Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 65: To ask the Minister for Transport when the Road Traffic Bill 2009 will be enacted; when the reduced blood alcohol limits will be introduced; his views on the Road Safety Authority survey that stated that one in three drivers believes it is acceptable to drink and drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12873/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Road Traffic Bill 2009, which is currently before the Dáil for Second Stage consideration, provides for the lowering of the legal blood alcohol concentration to 20 mg per 100 mL for learner, novice and professional drivers and 50 mg per 100 mL for other drivers. The lower limits will be introduced following the enactment of the Bill and when the necessary evidential breath testing, EBT, instruments for testing at the lower limits are available.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety has commenced the procurement process for the new EBT instruments, following which the new instruments will be evaluated and tested by the bureau over a six-month period. The Road Safety Authority's recently published national survey of driving attitudes and behaviour shows a 71% level of approval for the new 50 milligrams limit and 73% in favour of the 20 milligrams limit. The survey also shows that 61% believe the legal limit of alcohol is one drink, after which a person should not drive, and 90% indicated they had not driven a motor vehicle in the past 12 months after consuming two or more alcoholic drinks.

Overall, the RSA survey results show a significant hardening of people's attitude towards drinking and driving in the country and indicates a profound change in the public's attitude over the past decade.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On this the House is ad idem. I very much welcome the results of the survey from the Road Safety Authority, which shows the profound change over a period of years in public opinion. The voices in this House which have argued for a reduction in the alcohol limit have been proved to be in tune with public opinion. Unfortunately, there are the likes of Deputy Mattie McGrath in this world who do not want change and have articulated a view that one can drink and drive. That is no longer acceptable.

Will the Minister continue, with the Road Safety Authority, to provide a budget particularly for bringing about awareness of the effects of drink on people? The key point is that no matter how low the levels of drink, it can affect how people drive.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree with the Deputy and it is my intent to continue to support the RSA in its education profile. It is a good example of at least one area where across parties people have been constructive and positive in the implementation of policy and the highlighting and support of issues that needed it. I hope it will continue as it is a matter of life and death as far as I am concerned.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The best briefing I got on the Bill as it stands was from Ms Susan Gray, Ms Donna Price, Ms Ann Fogarty and Ms Teresa Leonard. They are great road safety activists from the PARC organisation and they are very anxious to meet with the Minister when the Bill emerges from the House. I wonder if he could facilitate such a meeting as these people have a deep understanding of the issue; each of them suffered an horrendous tragedy in their own family, which has been the basis of their terrific campaign over recent years to bring about safer roads.

We hope the Bill will begin Committee Stage soon and the Minister might indicate when this will be. We clashed before about the evidential breath testing, EBT, machines so what is the timeframe on the recalibration of the machines? Issues have also been raised about intoxilyser machines which will be in Garda stations and the fact that their tolerance is too high compared with the UK and Northern Ireland. Has the Minister any views on that?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The process involving the testing, tendering and purchase of machines started on the day I put the Bill into the public domain. I did this in order to cut at least six months off the normal time taken to procure such instruments. The largest and most complex part of the process relates to the EBTs. The current versions, approved and supplied to the Garda stations, could be recalibrated to the 50 milligram limit but could not be recalibrated to the 20 milligram limit. I have asked the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, MBRS, to purchase the new generation of EBT instruments, which will be capable of measuring all the range. It has begun the process and we are coming to the end of the process where people identify and submit interest in tendering.

Samples must be evaluated by the MBRS and these are tested over six months, which will be in the latter half of this year. At the end of that period, towards the end of this year, it is expected that they can be approved by January 2011. They are then moved to Garda stations and over a period of approximately six months they will be installed in Garda stations and gardaí will be trained in their use. They will be ready for operation by that summer.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I join with others in congratulating the Road Safety Authority on this turnaround and the reduction in deaths so far this year. We have our fingers crossed as the chairman as indicated that we could end up with a sudden shock over just one long weekend.

I know the Minister has covered the possibility for gardaí to form an opinion that somebody is under the influence of a drug other than alcohol but will the availability of testing kits be further explored so that gardaí might quantitatively and qualitatively know that somebody has been taking an intoxicating substance that could influence driving?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is something which has exercised everybody on all sides of the House. The impairment tests are being legislated for.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are welcome.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Gardaí can also form an opinion and do a test later. We are working with the EU to see if we can get a roadside testing kit that would assist in the issue. I assure the Deputy that we will pursue the matter and try to ensure an effective testing system for drugs other than alcohol.